At least 16 Dead After Car Bomb Explosion Near Hospital In Syria

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At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a car exploded in the city of Homs in western Syria.

The incident happened near the Al-Ahli hospital in the government-held Al-Zahraa neighbourhood.

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RT reports: The area has seen several bombings. It is home to the Alawite minority, to whom the ruling elite in Syria belongs.

Syrian state television described the attack as “two large terrorist explosions.” The second explosion reportedly took place in a nearby shop a few minutes after the car bombing detonated.

At least 16 people have been killed and 54 others injured. Some are in a critical condition, Governor of Homs Talal al-Barazi told SANA.

The agency cited a source close the incident, saying a car packed with 150 kg of explosives was parked in a street near a charity association and al-Ahli Hospital.

The casualty count is not yet final as emergency services are responding to the attack. RIA Novosti has already reported 22 people were killed and 70 more sustained injuries, citing medical sources. Unconfirmed reports on Twitter put the number of those wounded at 140.

The western Syrian city was targeted as government and rebel forces contesting the city agreed this week to establish a ceasefire, a move touted as a major breakthrough for a political reconciliation in Syria.

The bombing in Homs follows a triple car bombing in the predominantly Kurdish Al Hasakah province on Thursday, which claimed at least 60 lives and left dozens injured.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on Thursday which targeted a Kurdish militia hospital and a crowded marketplace.